AMD optimistic on Fusion as earnings flatten

AMD announced its financial results for the fourth quarter of 2010 on Thursday. The numbers were essentially flat as the Intel competitor navigated through the end of a year during which it positioned itself for what it hopes will be a more successful 2011.

"I am confident we can drive profitable growth based on the strength of new products we will bring to market," Seifert's statement continued.

During the fourth quarter, AMD pulled in $1.65bn in revenue, which was an increase over the previous quarter of a mere two per cent, and flat year-on year. Net income during the quarter was $375m, and operating income $413m.

For the entire year, revenues totaled $6.49bn, a comforting 20 per cent better than the company's painful 2009.

This year might very well be a make-it-or-break-it period for AMD. The company's long-awaited Fusion series of APUs (accelerated processing units) are now beginning to appear, both in low-power netbook, notebook, and tablet form in the C-Series and E-Series and in embedded form in the G-Series, released Wednesday.

More APUs are in the pipeline, and AMD – and its investors – are certainly hoping that the CPU/GPU mashiups will take a bite out of Intel's market share.

Interim CEO Siefert – in public, at least – is more than hopeful: he's "confident." ®